Bear Boulder is no longer with AEW, as he was arrested.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful (via Fightful Select) reports that Bear Boulder (Thomas Wansaw) has been fired by AEW; the company learned that he was arrested for battery by strangulation in January, and he was subsequently released. The arrest was on January 14th.
Boulder had been a member of the Iron Savages team with Bear Bronson, and they were regulars on ROH/AEW programming. He last wrestled at the ROH tapings on January 11th. There, he, Serpentico, and the Dark Order lost to Lee Johnson, EJ Nduka, and Shane Taylor Promotions.
More Details
Mike Johnson of PWInsider reported an update, noting that the complaint filed against Wansaw stated that the alleged victim was his fiance. According to the police report, Deputy Javier Rincon wrote that the alleged victim informed him that she was “physically battered” by her fiance.
The police report is as follows:
“I observed what appeared [to be] several injuries on [deleted] and photographs were taken and uploaded to Axon Evidence to be attached to the report. According to [deleted], she sustained injuries around her neck which included red marks as well scratches just below her neck just above her breast. The back of [deleted] neck was also red and appeared it was battered as well. [Deleted] also sustained a bruise that appeared to be bright red on her right hand. According to [Deleted], she was in a verbal argument with Thomas Wansaw that escalated into a physical altercation when he pushed her to the ground. Thomas Wansaw then placed his foot onto her throat causing [deleted] to lose consciousness and black out. [Deleted] stated she gained consciousness approximately five to ten minutes later and was able to retreat outside to a patio/balcony area and call 911.
“[Deleted] stated she believes Thomas Wansaw picked her up and placed her on the couch as that is where she was when she regained consciousness. [Deleted] stated this was not the first time Thomas Wansaw has been physically violent with her and it has happened approximately five to ten times over the course of their relationship. [Deleted] also stated when Thomas Wansaw is attending his anger management courses, he is a completely different person. [Deleted] was cooperative but then during the investigation she stated she did not want Thomas Wansaw to go to jail as it will cause a great financial strain on their relationship.
“[Deleted] did begin to complete a written statement but decided not to finish it because she did not want him to go to jail. [Deleted] did make the comment that if she recanted her story would he not go to jail and she was advised that would not happen at this point.
“I read Thomas Wansaw his Miranda Warning and he was very cooperative and agreed to speak with me. Thomas Wansaw’s account of what occurred was consistent with [deleted’]’s testimony. Thomas Wansaw stated he knows what he did was not right but [deleted] made some negative comments about his job and he became upset.
“Thomas Wansaw did state he placed his foot on her neck and it did appear [deleted] did lose consciousness and that is why he picked her up off the floor and placed her on the couch. Thomas Wansaw did mention [deleted] did pull a knife on him earlier in the day during another argument but he would not elaborate and did not want to pursue the issue.
“I placed Thomas Wansaw under arrest for violation of Florida State Statute 784.031, Battery by Strangulation (domestic violence) and transported him to the Orange County Detention Facility for processing without incident. [deleted] declined several requests by deputies on scene for medical attention to respond and clear her. [deleted] stated she will drive herself to the local hospital for evaluation. My agency issued body worn camera was activated during this entire call.”
The report notes that a no contact order was granted at a hearing on January 27th. This was changed to Wansaw being ordered not to have “hostile/violent contact with the victim”. No new court dates are listed at this time, but the case is open as of this writing.
WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
